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Graphic Novel Review: Tales from Harrow County Volume 1: Death’s Choir by Cullen Bunn, art by Naomi Franquiz

Tales from Harrow County, Volume 1: Death’s Choir by Cullen Bunn, art by Naomi Franquiz

Dark Horse, 2020

ISBN-13: 97815067168

Available: Paperback, Kindle edition, comiXology ( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com )

 

Award-winning, Eisner-nominated Southern Gothic horror returns in Tales from Harrow County, Volume 1: Death’s Choir. The story focuses on Bernice Anderson as she has taken on the mantle of steward of the small community ten years after her best friend Emmy Crawford left Harrow County. World War II has taken young men from the community, leaving tragedy in its wake. Harrow County is left in a state of mourning when the news of the deaths of their family members arrive. A mourning woman, Mrs. Dearborn, has called upon the spirits, but in summoning the supernatural choir that beckons the spirits of those the war has taken, has also summoned a deadly banshee as well. Bernice and her partner Georgia must find a way to save Harrow County from certain doom. The town does face more than supernatural foes. With not only Bernice’s protective witchcraft, but also the same-sex relationship between Bernice and Georgia, the Reverend unleashes some passive-aggressive nonsense.

 

 

For readers familiar with Harrow County, there will be familiar haints and creatures. As a fan of Priscilla the goblin, I was overjoyed that there was more of her, but I was ill-prepared for the cliffhanger ending.

 

 

Artist Naomi Franquiz takes over from Tyler Crooks. While her style is similar to Crooks’, she seems to have a more vibrant color palette, but this does not detract from the story. Her lush landscapes and well-developed character designs and art lend Cullen’s story a familiar atmosphere.

 

 

Volume 1 collects Tales from Harrow County: Death’s Choir #1-#4. Highly recommended.

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on October 22, 2022 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Harrow County Library Edition, Volume 3 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook

 

Harrow County, Library Edition Volume 3 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook

Dark Horse Comics, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781506710662

Available:  Hardcover, Kindle, comiXology

Emmy finds out more about her real family as she stands against supernatural entities threatening to destroy Harrow County and, ultimately, herself. Additionally, hunters from a neighboring town have heard tales of the creatures wandering the woods in Harrow County and want to prove their mettle by bringing one of them back. They may regret their decision in the end. Later, Emmy’s “haints” lead her to one of their kin who is strung up and dead. Emmy determines the killing was committed by someone familiar with how to kill them. When she finds her friend Bernice is responsible, their bonds of friendship and trust are further tested as they stand on opposing sides. Can they come together to face the evil that Emmy’s family has resurrected from the earth?

Harrow County, Library Edition Volume 3 contains volumes 5 and 6 of the series. It includes a sketchbook, art and painting process notes, a selection of “Tales of Harrow County” shorts by guest creators, and more. I love all the shorts that include the goblin, Priscilla. She’s adorably fierce.

This is a great continuation of Emmy’s story. Bunn keeps the suspense and adventure going well. As with the previous volumes, this is a fast-paced story, but the artwork will keep you on a page longer than you need to read. Crook’s art is fantastic and makes a great pairing with Bunn’s story. This is first time I have reviewed a physical copy, too. The oversized hardcover book is beautiful. The photographs I have included don’t do it justice. If you can get yourself a physical copy, I recommend it. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Contains: blood, body horror, gore

 

Highly recommended

 

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on December 31, 2019 by , Reply

Graphic Novel Review: Harrow County Volume 2 by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook, Carla Speed McNeil, Hannah Christensen, and Jenn Manley Lee

Harrow County, Library Edition, Volume 2: Snake Doctor & Family Tree by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Tyler Crook, Carla Speed McNeil, Hannah Christensen, and Jenn Manley Lee

Dark Horse, 2019

ISBN-13: 978-1506710655

Available: Hardcover, Kindle, comiXology

There is so much happening in this second library edition of Harrow County. Eighteen-year-old witch Emmy Crawford feels alone in the world in terms of her abilities, but a group of strangers appear in Harrow County claiming to be her kin. Emmy learns more about her past, opening more questions for her and the reader. Cullen’s storytelling is brilliant, in that the more we find out about not just Emmy, but her friend Bernice, the more intricate and entwined their stories become. I find myself wondering about the future of these young ladies and what their relationship will look like in the future. Finding out more about Hester Beck has also been intriguing. She is a terrifying figure to be sure, especially since we get more than just a glimpse of what she was capable of.

The reader meets the first of these beings when the skinless boy, Emmy’s familiar, is taunted and hounded by a long haired man, Levi, who kills a bird to play it as he walks along. He talks of pickled pigs’ feet being no substitute for his favourite meat, long pig. Levi coaxes the skinless boy to find his home, discovering what he is and who created him. Clinton and Bernice discover there is another witch in Harrow County after the former’s Uncle Early starts acting strangely after confronting a cottonmouth in the berry bushes. When his uncle ends up missing, Clinton goes to Bernice to help find him out at Old Lady Lovey’s cabin. What she finds out about herself in the process will help protect the people of the county. Emmy ventures to Creech’s County after hearing rumors about a haunted house where the children are hunted by something that wishes to do them harm. She soon discovers there is more to the house than she and the family originally thought. Emmy and Bernice hunt for a lost Clinton in the corn field, only to be attacked by the scarecrows. After Bernice is able to fend them off with the help of a gift from Old Lady Lovey, they come face to face with Levi and a hypnotized young Clinton. They are led to the spot by bloody footprints, who Levi introduces as Mildred. He insists they are related to Emmy, but she is a hard one to convince. When he takes her to meet the rest of her kin, her decision to go with him could mean the destruction of Harrow County.

This library edition collects volumes three and four of Harrow County and includes a sketchbook with notes by Crook, McNeil, and Christenson, essays, and more. The short comics under the title “Tales of Harrow County” written by Tyler Crook with art by David Ruben, the amazing Kate Leth, Kel McDonald, Brian Hurt, Matt Kindt, and Jessica Mahon, are a great addition to the second library edition.

Contains: some blood and gore

Highly recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Posted on October 1, 2019 by , Reply
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